Though most people have white vinegar in their kitchen for cooking, its also ideal for other household uses. White vinegar, especially distilled white vinegar is environmentally friendly and can be used for a multitude of things around the house. Here’s a list of ingenious ways to use white vinegar.

Keeping your cut flowers fresh

Cut flowers start to droop after just a few days. To stop this, simply add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar to 1 quart of water and pour the mixture into your flower vase. This will keep your flowers fresh for a much longer period of time!

Renew stinky sponges

Sponges get gross after they are used to clean your dishes too much. Instead of throwing them away when they start to stink, however, white vinegar can give them new life! Just place the sponge in a dish (with just enough water to cover it) and add ¼ cup of white vinegar, then leave it to soak overnight, and it will be good as new by morning!

Toothbrush hygiene

You can sanitize toothbrushes that are getting old by using white vinegar as well. Just mix together a ½ cup of water, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 2 teaspoons of baking soda and place the mixture in a glass with your toothbrush. Leave it to soak for thirty minutes and then rinse the toothbrush thoroughly before using it again.

Deter bugs

Insects like ants, spiders, and other bugs hate the smell of vinegar, so it is great for keeping them away. Simply mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and add 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap and place the mixture in a spray bottle, then spray various areas of your house to keep insects at bay.

Clean your fridge

Refrigerators hold many different food items, which means it gets very dirty over time. To clean your fridge, just wipe it down with equal parts white vinegar and water, and make sure you wipe down the walls as well. Once you’ve done this, your fridge will be spanking clean!

Shine your scissors

Scissors often get sticky, and white vinegar is perfect for cleaning them. All you need to do is wipe the blades with a damp cloth soaked in white vinegar and then let them dry. This will keep the metal on the blades from rusting and leave the scissors looking brand new!